CPPO eyeing 80 more cops for SWAT team

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office is set to train more police personnel to be part of the current Special Weapons and Tactics team.

CPPO director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac said they are planning to conduct the third training involving 80 personnel to be added to the current 129 SWAT members in the province.

He said the move aims to have SWAT teams in so-called riskier areas.

“Just like in Talisay, they only have one team. And because of their place, we will add one team,” he said.

Gillamac said since a SWAT training would require big expenses, he sought the assistance from the local chief executives.

“As per estimate, this will need more or less P2 million. PNP (Philippine National Police) has no money for this training that’s why giduol nato ang mga local chief executives,” said Gillamac.

Expenses would include appropriations for equipment to be used during trainings, which will last for a month.

He said as of yesterday, he already coordinated with the Danao City and Daanbantayan town mayors, who are reportedly very supportive of the plan.

“They are willing to shoulder the expenses and also for the equipment,” he said.

As for the current SWAT members, Gillamac said he noticed during an inter-district SWAT competition earlier that the personnel have lapses in standard operating procedures during a close-quarter battle.

The competition was aimed to gauge the capability of the SWAT team personnel in the province.

The SWAT personnel from Cebu City Police Office, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and Mandaue City Police Office were also invited to the competition.

However, Gillamac said he noticed that the SWAT personnel in CPPO, CCPO, LCPO and MCPO would take for granted their safety, focusing only on aiming their targets.

The provincial SWAT team was also noted to have difficulty in hitting its target in the sniping competition.

“I think, it needs continuous training to enhance their skills,” said Gillamac. (FREEMAN)